MILITARY ROMANCE: The War Within Himself (Alpha Bad Boy Marine Army Seal) (Contemporary Military Suspense & Thriller Romance)

by Claire Branson

  She was still too far to see, but she started to feel relief as there didn’t seem to be any structural damage on the outside. Anya had to park several blocks away and all she could see at first was the streams of smoke floating into the air. Getting closer to her apartment building, even with what she was there to do, her mind went back to the tall man that had saved her. There were several National Guard patrolling around the area after the fires were put out. A curfew had been ordered and they were brought in to keep the peace and Chayla hoped that she could find him. If for no other reason than to thank him properly, she had to find him.

  “Miss, you can’t go in there.”

  Chayla had not even seen the older man walk up in dark fatigues, his eyes sharp. “I live here and I need to get a few things.”

  “I’m sorry but it will have to be cleared before anyone can go in. It is for your own safety.”

  “Please…you don’t understand.”

  Chayla was close to tears, her mouth unable to convey what she wanted to say. Not getting into the apartment was not an option for her.

  “Santino, I’ve got this.”

  Chayla turned to the voice and there he was. His blue eyes sparkled down at her and she smiled up at him a little breathless.

  ***

  Chapter 2

  “Did I thank you for saving me?”

  Charles nodded and smiled. “There is no need to Ma’am, but yes I think you did so earlier. How is your arm?”

  “It will be better in a few weeks. So can I really not go in there…?”

  “Charles Ma’am, Charles Sampson.”

  She took his offered hand and liked the way his hand engulfed hers. Chayla felt so tiny next to him, but undeniably safe. “Chayla Griffit.”

  “Well Chayla, it hasn’t been checked to see if it is safe yet. Fire Marshals will come through in the morning and check the structure. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”

  While his words touched her, she was not worried about getting hurt, but more about one photo album. If she could get that, she decided that she could walk away from the rest of it. “I understand, it’s just…well there is something in there that I really need. I don’t want to leave it in there, the rest I could care less about.”

  She piqued his interest and Charles wondered what the tiny woman wanted so badly. Her dark eyes and chocolate skin looked almost black against the night sky and she looked mysterious to him. “What is it that you need so bad Chayla?”

  Her smile was quick, knowing that she was going to get what she wanted. One way or another she usually did. “A silver-cased photo album that is underneath my bed. I would just be a moment if you let me just go pop up there real quick.”

  Chayla was already starting towards the entrance and he stopped her. “I didn’t say you were going to go. I can’t in good conscious allow it. I will go up there and get it for you, as long as you promise to wait here.”

  She nodded her head, agreeing. Chayla really didn’t care about all the rest of it, she just wanted the photos. It was funny how little money was worth in the face of a tragedy, all she cared about was preserving memories. The rest could be rebought, though she doubted she would want half of it again. She watched him go into the smoke-filled building and sent a little prayer up that he would be okay.

  When he came back down with her heart’s desire in his hands, she thanked him with another hug and a kiss on the cheek. As she settled against his hard uniformed body, she was tempted to kiss him on his lips. She moved to her tippy-toes to reach him and she mewled softly into his mouth when he kissed her back, his tongue swirling in her mouth.

  Charles got ahold of himself before Chayla did, pushing her back slightly with an arm. His face was tight and she blushed under her dark skin. “Sorry, I was just a tad too happy to see it. You don’t know how much it means to me. Do you get off soon or could you go for a coffee? I would love to thank you with a meal if you have time?”

  Chayla was babbling and she tried to stop the torrent of words, but she couldn’t. She ached to touch her lips and check to see if they had been scorched with the heat of their embrace. It had been a while since anyone had caught her off guard in such a way and she really did want to thank him properly. Chayla had nothing to get back to and it only put off the inevitable search for a hotel.

  “Coffee would be good.”

  He offered her arm and they walked down to the 24-hour diner on the corner. It was still open and had only a small scorch mark in front of it. Chayla had to imagine that the owner Rajid, had made sure to protect his investment. It was just a reminder of the madness in the city and her need to get away from it. ‘No job is worth it’. Her friend’s words in head, reminding her how differently things could have turned out.

  She followed him in and picked her usual booth in the back. Always trying to get some work done, there were many morning she would go down there for a quick breakfast and a work session. “Hey Chay. I saw your building, are you okay? Damn crazies run around here at night, I swear.”

  Her brown shoulders shrugged and she told herself not to choke up. Ashlea seen the conflict and nodded. “The usual?”

  Chayla nodded. “What do you want Charles?”

  “Coffee would be great Ma’am.”

  Ashlea shot her a look over his head. It registered definite approval and she tried not to laugh. That was why she loved that place. It seemed to make even the worst days better.

  “So you come here a lot?”

  “Yeah, I do some of my work here. Email and all, it was always so convenient being right down the street. I think I will miss this place far more than my apartment and all the stuff.”

  “I can’t imagine. I am sorry.”

  “It’s okay. Stupid protesters are getting out of hand. They never seem to see the bigger picture of the destruction of their own neighborhoods. Are you from around here?”

  “I live outside the city, not too far from here. They called in all NGs from the state.”

  “Wow. You must think this is madness. What do you do the rest of the time?”

  “I do investigations for crimes, other people, so I see this type of thing way too much.”

  Chayla nodded and moved back to let Ashlea put the drinks on the table. He looked at her hot chocolate strangely, but she just shrugged her shoulders. “I hate coffee, but everyone else seems to love it. It is so bitter.”

  “So what do you do?”

  “Well I am an assistant at a law firm for a living, but I design websites as a hobby. Mainly for friends, but I am starting to get some actual paying clients. I like the creative side of it. Work is mind-numbing, you know?”

  He nodded. Her laugh enchanted him and her facial expressions left him in awe. She was so animated and lively. To think of the night she was having, he found it strangely brave to be so positive. “So what are you going to do now?”

  Her smile faltered a little and he wished he hadn’t said a word.

  ***

  Chapter 3

  “Back to reality I suppose. Well, my friend offered up a room at her house, but well, she has like four cats and it’s a bit much for me. So I think I will just find a hotel around here. Might be nice not to have to clean for a while and have someone else make the bed.”

  Her dark-brown eyes held a touch of sadness, but even then she was trying to see the good of it all. Charles wanted to help her in some way and he wanted to get to know her better. She sucked him in like he was under a spell and he didn’t like the idea of not seeing her again, their lives never intersecting after that night.

  “You should come stay with me. I am off for the night and have several extra rooms.”

  His invitation shocked her and she immediately started to thank him, but refuse. She couldn’t possibly stay with a complete stranger, no matter how comfortable she felt around him. Her mind flitted to the kiss from before and she wondered if she had given him the wrong impression in her enthusiasm. Chayla imagined that he wanted more than just a little company fo
r his offer.

  “Thanks, but I couldn’t put you out like that. You have already helped me so much.”

  “I want to help you. Besides, hotels are ridiculous in the city and you don’t want your friend to have to drive all the way back down here, do you? It is almost three in the morning.”

  He was right, but it was a hard stretch, even with all the common sense behind his words. Could see really stay with a complete stranger? She didn’t know.

  “That is really nice of you Charles, but…”

  “I won’t take no for an answer. You can have a shower and you will feel good as new. I may have some extra clothes that are about your size that you can change into.”

  Chayla had a retort, but she bit her tongue to stop it. Instead she thanked him and agreed to go with him. She owed him for being so nice to her and Chayla started to think of ways to thank him. One thought in particular made her blush and she looked down so he couldn’t see the embarrassment in her face for thinking such things.

  “Well come on. Let’s get you to bed.”

  ***

  Chayla sat nervously in his dark leather seats, clutching the photo album to her chest. She had not expected the sports car on a public sector job, but she didn’t say a word. When they went into the gated community that overlooked the city, she knew he was not just a cop. “So this is where you live?”

  He nodded and then pulled down a long, dark driveway. “So you are a cop?”

  “No I am a mercenary, big difference and salaries. I contract to the city from time to time, but my private clients are the more lucrative side of business.”

  “I bet.” Her eyes took in the large house in front of her. It wasn’t big enough to be a mansion, but it sprawled around her in a maze. It looked old, but well-kept and was landscaped beautifully to the Spanish villa motif.

  Charles just kind of chuckled and looked back at her with his dark grey-blue eyes. They seemed to change colors and in the dark interior of the car, they looked black and pulled her in. “Like I said, there is plenty of room. You can stay as long as you like, until you find a place and get your insurance sorted out.”

  “Thanks, but I will figure something out tomorrow. I really appreciate this.”

  He didn’t argue with her and turned the car off. Charles was a gentleman, helping her out of the car and walking her down the lit walkway. The inside was as impressive as the outside. It was definitely a bachelor pad and it was the first time she had thought about if he was even single.

  “Just you in this big old house?”

  He turned around and nodded. He looked dashing in the light with his uniform on. His eyes were more slate blue and she wondered how they could keep turning like they were. Everything about him intrigued her. Chayla just wished that had met on different terms than her house being burned down. She had to admit though, if it hadn’t happened, she wouldn’t be there now.

  “So, let me show you where everything is. I am sure you are exhausted.”

  His hand brushed against her shoulder as he moved her through the house. He stopped at one of the many rooms lining a wide hallway. “I hope this will suit you.”

  It did. It was not feminine, but not masculine either, just open and bright. She looked around and her eyes instantly went to the large bed in the middle of the room. It was inviting and if she wasn’t covered in soot, she would have jumped into it. There was a bathroom a little further down the hall and he showed her where the towels were. “I will go get you something to wear. Be back in a few minutes.”

  She thanked him again and as soon as he left the room, she started to strip out of the dirty clothes. She turned the water on and let the space fill with steam. The water was blissful and when she got out, she felt almost new again. There were no clothes on the sink, so she tiptoed back to the room with a towel around her. The bed called to her and Chayla slid in, fast asleep.

  Charles stopped short when he realized she was asleep. He studied her resting face and her bare shoulders. He had gotten sidetracked on a phone call and he had been hoping they could talk a little. He set the clothes on the side table next to her and turned the lamp off.

  He got himself ready for bed, but before his alarm could go off at seven, he was called in. Leaving a note on top of the clothing, Charles fought the urge to kiss her on the head and left. If it was anything else he would have stayed, but finding Dominic, trumped even an enticing vixen such as herself.

  ***

  Chapter 4

  Chayla awoke several hours after Charles had left. She saw the note first and smiled with his flowing handwriting. She liked the way her name looked on the envelope and she waited a few moments before she opened it.

  “Chayla,

  I got called in for something, but will be back shortly. Make yourself at home and I will see you soon.

  Charles.”

  Chayla sat back on the soft bed and sighed. She could get used to living like this, she thought to herself. She knew that she should leave and do what errands needed to be handled. Chayla should have gone to find a hotel or elsewhere to stay, but she didn’t. Instead she slept for another hour and then when off exploring the huge house.

  Peeking in several rooms, she wondered where the clothes she was wearing had come from. Her curiosity got the best of her and when she opened one door and it was clear that it was his room, she pushed it all the way open and stepped in. She looked around and saw that he still had not made his bed. The closet was open and as she stepped in, she realized that it was half woman’s clothing, half men’s. It was odd and she didn’t quite know how to react to it. What did that mean? Was he married, a cross-dresser? None of the scenarios that ran through her mind made her feel any better.

  Thinking she heard a noise from down stairs, she crept back out as quickly and quietly as possible. There was no one down there and she gravitated to the kitchen, realizing she was starving. Chayla tried not to jump to any more conclusions about the clothes upstairs. It didn’t really matter if either one of the scenarios was true. He had been kind enough to help her more than once and she decided that she would make him that meal she had babbled on about before.

  She was surprised to see him so well stocked, not expecting that out of a bachelor. Chayla found sound ingredients and started a roux for a seafood gumbo. It was surprisingly that he had the ingredients for the dish and she had never known someone who didn’t like it. Before she knew it, she had made herself at home and had turned on some music to jam to as she cooked and set the table. Finding a bottle of wine, she opened it to let it breathe, wondering when he was going to arrive.

  ***

  Charles was neck-deep in stress. The past was coming back in haunting fashion, taunting him from afar. His wife had been killed when he was on a job. It was because of his job that she was dead. The worst part was that the killer was free, even though he knew exactly who he was. Charles had spent the last two years looking for him and he just disappeared. It wasn’t until he got the call about an Interpol ping that he thought of Dominic again. The timing couldn’t have been worse, but for Beth, it would have to be done. For his own sanity he had to find him and bring him to justice. Beth deserved justice if nothing else.

  “Charlie. Why don’t you go home and get a few hours. I will call you when we hear something. No sense waiting in here, eating takeout.”

  Charles sighed and got up from his part-time desk at the precinct. He didn’t want to leave, hoping that something would come up and he could finally put that part of his life to peace. That night didn’t seem to be that time, so he finally agreed and waved back to Ramirez. “Tomorrow Charlie. We are going to get that son of a bitch. He never should have stepped foot on our soil again.”

  His drive home was not as dreaded as it usually was. Charles did not like to go home to an empty house and he hoped that his house guest was still just that and she would be there when he got there. The lights were on when he pulled up and he was going to take it as a good sign. He paused with the thought. Chayla
was already rubbing off on him and he was trying to see the good in life. It had been a while since there was anything else but a dark cloud over his head. Chayla was that sunshine that pushed it all back.

  There was a smell in the air and loud jazz on the radio. He found her dancing and singing to the round side of a wooden spoon. Her voice carried to his ears and once again, her being her, made his day a little better. He noticed the way Beth’s clothes fit her body perfectly, filling in a little more on top, leaving the buttoned shirt slightly gaping.

  He swallowed hard and walked into the kitchen. He still did not say anything, waiting for her to notice him. Charles took a seat at the bar and started to pour wine into the two waiting glasses. He could not think of a better way to come home and he closed his eyes with the pleasure of the impromptu moment.

  “Oh. I didn’t see you there. Hold on.”

  She turned the music off and looked down embarrassed. “How long have you been sitting there?”

  “Long enough. You have a beautiful voice.”

  Chayla went to the stove to stir what was simmering in the pot. It had been done hours ago, but she hadn’t added the seafood yet, so it would be perfect. “Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes. I hope you like gumbo.”

  “Never tried it.”

  “Well you are in for a treat.” Her eyes looked at him as if he was the lollipop. Charles looked different in regular street clothes. He was wearing a suit, without a tie, the button down opened at the throat to show off a few dark black curls. He was more accessible without his NG uniform on. She liked the look, but Charles looked like a man, instead of a soldier. While she fantasized about both, the one in front of her looked at her in such a way that it was hard to not like that version better.

  Chapter 5

  She struggled not to ask about the clothes in his closet and as they talked, she quickly forgot about her ill feelings. Chayla was smitten with the man and found the evening quickly turning to night and she had already quietly decided that she was going to stay there another night. They watched a movie together and Chayla lay in the crook of his arm. It was so easy with him, like they had known each other for a long time. She looked down at where his tanned skin contrasted with her dark skin.